National Badger Day

Next celebratedTuesday, October 6, 2026

It's time to unleash your inner badger and celebrate National Badger Day with fun facts, activities, and adorable photos of these fierce creatures!

See how to celebrate

Countdown to the day

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Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar TeamHave an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEOctober 6

OBSERVED INUnited Kingdom

CATEGORYAnimals

SUBCATEGORYWildlife

INTRO

Introduction

Get ready to celebrate one of the most fascinating creatures on National Badger Day on October 6! These spunky and fearless animals have been a part of human culture for centuries, often being depicted in folktales and myths. Did you know that badgers are known for their digging abilities, creating complex underground networks called setts? They are also highly intelligent and have a variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other. So let's take this day to appreciate these amazing animals and learn more about them!

TIMELINE

National Badger Day Timeline

Badgers in Literature

The character of Tommy Brock, a bad-tempered badger, is featured in Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Mr. Tod."

Wisconsin State Symbol

The badger is officially declared the state animal symbol of Wisconsin, USA due to its significance in the state's mining history.

"Wind in the Willows" Adaptation

Badger, one of the main characters from Kenneth Grahame's novel "The Wind in the Willows," is brought to life in an animated film adaptation.

British Badgers Protection

The U.K.'s Protection of Badgers Act is further amended to extend protections, making it illegal to harm or interfere with a badger sett.

Establishment of National Badger Day

The U.K.-based Badger Trust establishes National Badger Day on October 6 to raise awareness and appreciation of these creatures.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Badger Day

Visit a Badger Sanctuary

Spend National Badger Day by visiting a badger sanctuary or wildlife rescue center. Learn about these fascinating creatures and support their conservation efforts.

MAKE

Make Badger-Themed Crafts

Get crafty and make some badger-themed crafts to celebrate the day. You can create paper bag badger puppets, badger masks, or even paint a badger on a rock.

HOST

Host a Badger Movie Night

Gather some friends and family and host a movie night featuring movies with badgers as the main characters. You can watch classics like The Wind in the Willows or newer films like The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

TRY

Try Badger-Themed Food

Get creative in the kitchen and make some badger-themed food. You can make badger-shaped cookies, cupcakes with black and white frosting, or even a badger-inspired cheese platter.

LEARN

Learn About Badgers

Spend some time learning about badgers on National Badger Day. You can read books, watch documentaries, or even visit a zoo to see badgers in person and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for these animals.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Badger Day

They symbolize determination and resilience

Badgers are known for their persistence and fierce defense of their territory. They symbolize strength, determination, and resilience - qualities that we can all admire and strive for in our own lives.

They're cute and unique animals

Badgers may not be the most popular or well-known animal, but they definitely have their own charm. With their distinctive markings and playful nature, badgers are just too adorable to resist!

They play an important role in the ecosystem

Despite their small size, badgers play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their habitats. As omnivores, they help control insect and rodent populations and contribute to soil health through their digging behavior.